Eating Disorders - Introduction

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Anorexia Nervosa

The term "anorexia" literally means absence of appetite. Anorexia nervosa involves an aversion to food that leads to a state of starvation and emaciation. It is a very serious illness that some experts believe is an entirely different condition from bulimia and should be not be diagnosed as a simple eating disorder.

Facts associated with anorexia nervosa:

• At least 15% to as much as 60% of normal body weight is lost.
• The patient with anorexia nervosa has an intense fear of gaining weight, even when he or she is severely underweight.
• Individuals with anorexia nervosa have a distorted image of their own weight or shape and deny the serious health consequences of their low weight.
• Women with anorexia nervosa miss at least three consecutive menstrual periods. (Some experts believe women can be anorexic without this occurrence.)

Patients with this condition are often characterized as anorexia restrictors or anorexic bulimic patients. Each type is equally prevalent.

• Anorexia restrictors reduce their weight by severe dieting.
• Anorexic bulimic patients maintain emaciation by purging. Although both types are serious, the bulimic type, which imposes additional stress on an undernourished body, is the more damaging.

Severe anorexia is common in the elderly, who may experience weight loss because of social isolation, impaired gastrointestinal function, or loss of certain chemicals related to the feeding drive. Such age-related anorexia, however, is not synonymous with anorexia nervosa, which is a psychologic disorder.

Binge Eating (Binge Eating Disorder)

Bingeing without purging is characterized as compulsive overeating (binge eating) with the absence of bulimic behaviors, such as vomiting or laxative abuse (used to eliminate calories). Binge eating usually leads to becoming overweight.

To be diagnosed as a binge eater, a person typically has the following characteristics:

• Bingeing at least twice a week for 6 months
• Consuming 5,000 - 15,000 calories in one sitting
• Eating three meals a day plus frequent snacks
• Overeating continually throughout the day, rather than consuming large amounts of food during binges